Swiss Family Robinson is the original 'Minecraft' in book form. It’s all about crafting, building, and surviving, which should be a slam dunk for kids today.

However, let’s be real: the writing is dry. It was written by a Swiss pastor in 1812, and it reads like it. If your kid isn't a voracious reader, this book might end up as a very wholesome doorstop.

It’s also worth noting the 'kill first, ask questions later' approach to the local fauna. It's not malicious, but it's very much of its time. If you have a kid who cries when a bug gets stepped on, maybe skip this one or reach for a heavily abridged version.